U2 is one of the most popular and enduring rock bands of all time. Formed in 1976 in Dublin, Ireland, U2 consists of Bono (lead vocals), The Edge (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Adam Clayton (bass), and Larry Mullen Jr. (drums). The band has released 14 studio albums, won 22 Grammy Awards, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.
U2 is known for their epic live performances and extensive touring. The band has embarked on 12 concert tours since 1980, performing over 1,400 shows for millions of fans around the world. Some of their most famous tours include The Joshua Tree Tour (1987), Zoo TV Tour (1992-1993), Elevation Tour (2001), Vertigo Tour (2005-2006), and U2 360° Tour (2009-2011).
So with such an extensive touring history, is U2 planning to tour in the United States anytime soon?
U2’s Recent Touring Activity
U2 has not toured in the US since 2018. Their most recent tour was the Experience + Innocence Tour which ran from May 2018 to December 2018.
The Experience + Innocence Tour focused on shows in Europe and included a mix of indoor and outdoor stadium concerts. Cities visited included Berlin, London, Dublin, Milan, Manchester, and more. Unfortunately for US fans, there were no American tour dates announced.
Prior to the Experience + Innocence Tour, U2 had completed two major North American tours:
- The Joshua Tree Tour 2017: Ran May – September 2017 in celebration of the 30th anniversary of their album The Joshua Tree. This tour included over 20 shows in the United States and Canada.
- The Innocence + Experience Tour 2015: Ran May – July 2015 hitting cities like Vancouver, Chicago, Boston, New York and more. The tour grossed over $152 million worldwide.
So while U2 has toured extensively in the United States as recently as 2017, they have not announced any US dates since then. Fans hoping for a tour announcement will have to keep waiting.
Factors Impacting Likelihood of 2023 US Tour
There are a few key factors that could influence whether or not U2 launches a US tour leg in 2023:
New Album Release
Historically, U2 has supported new album releases with major world tours. Their last studio album Songs of Experience was released in 2017 and supported the aforementioned Joshua Tree Anniversary and Innocence + Experience tours. If U2 releases a new album in late 2022 or early 2023, a US tour announcement could quickly follow. The band is rumored to be working on new music but no definitive timeline has been set.
Ongoing Las Vegas Residency
In 2021, U2 announced they would be launching a residency in Las Vegas starting in 2023. The residency will be held at the new MSG Sphere venue, set to open in 2023 adjacent to The Venetian on the Las Vegas strip. The state-of-the-art venue will be equipped with advanced audio visual technology to provide fans an immersive concert experience.
U2’s Vegas residency dates are rumored to run between April 2023 and May 2023. These dates would make launching a full fledged US tour more challenging logistically. That said, the band could still tour around these residency dates.
Health of Band Members
As veterans of the music industry, the health and wellbeing of Bono (age 62), The Edge (age 61), Adam Clayton (age 63) and Larry Mullen Jr (age 61) will factor into any touring decisions. All members have weathered various injuries over the years but have avoided major health issues. Fans hope the band stays healthy enough to continue their acclaimed live performances.
Assuming no major setbacks, the band appears in good shape to withstand the rigors of touring if they desire. But health will always be a consideration for a band of their age.
U2’s History of North American Tours
U2 has a long history of performing major tours across North America. Here is a look back at their record:
October Tour (1981)
U2’s first tour of North America hit only 6 cities total, with 4 shows in the US and 2 in Canada. It supported their second album October and helped grow their fanbase outside Ireland.
War Tour (1983)
Touring in support of their album War, this tour expanded to include 28 US and Canadian cities. New York, Boston, Chicago and Toronto were among the destinations. The band’s performance at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater was filmed for their first concert video Live at Red Rocks.
The Unforgettable Fire Tour (1984-1985)
This lengthy tour saw U2 play over 110 shows across Europe, the UK, Australia, Japan, Canada and the US. The band’s profile continued to rise after performing “Pride (In the Name of Love)” on MTV and Wheel of Fortune.
The Joshua Tree Tour (1987)
U2 reached new heights of stardom on this tour in support of their mega-hit album The Joshua Tree. They performed in 87 total cities, filling large stadiums and arenas. The Joshua Tree Tour spawned their first live concert film Rattle and Hum and cemented their status as one of the biggest bands in the world.
Tour | Year | Locations |
---|---|---|
October Tour | 1981 | US and Canada |
War Tour | 1983 | US and Canada |
The Unforgettable Fire Tour | 1984-1985 | US, Canada, Europe, UK, Australia, Japan |
The Joshua Tree Tour | 1987 | US, Canada, Europe |
Lovetown Tour (1989-1990)
Spanning both Europe and North America, this tour supported their album Rattle and Hum and the companion documentary film. The North American leg saw 39 shows in the US and Canada.
Zooropa Tour (1993)
Centered around Europe, the Zooropa Tour included just 2 North American dates – a 3 night stand in Toronto and 2 shows in Mexico City.
PopMart Tour (1997-1998)
U2’s flashiest tour to date in support of their tech-influenced album Pop. After extensive dates across Europe, the North American leg hit stadiums in 48 US cities before concluding in South America.
Elevation Tour (2001)
Supporting their return to roots album All That You Can’t Leave Behind, this tour saw the band perform in smaller, general admission venues. The intimacy was a change of pace after their excess of the PopMart shows. North American dates hit 44 US and Canadian cities.
Vertigo Tour (2005-2006)
An international juggernaut, the Vertigo Tour saw U2 fill NFL and NCAA football stadiums in chase of the “biggest tour ever”. 131 shows were played worldwide. The North American leg included a staggering 64 concerts in the US and Canada.
360° Tour (2009-2011)
True to its name, the 360° Tour featured a futuristic circular stage allowing fans to surround the band. More than 2.7 million fans came out over 110 shows. In North America, U2 sold out multiple nights of 2010 shows at venues like Chicago’s Soldier Field.
The Joshua Tree Tour 2017 (2017)
Revisiting their classic album on its 30th anniversary, these North American dates included over 20 shows in US and Canada. A highlight was the Rose Bowl in Pasadena where they played to a sold out crowd of over 90,000 fans.
Likelihood of a 2023 US Tour
Based on U2’s extensive touring history and schedule availability outside of the Las Vegas residency, the likelihood of a 2023 US tour seems high. The band has gone on major US tours in conjunction with several prior album releases, so new music in late 2022 or early 2023 could spark their return.
While no tour is guaranteed until announced, fans can remain optimistic that U2 will mount another US trek sooner rather than later. America has always been a major part of their touring strategy, allowing them to fill football stadiums and arenas coast to coast.
The only scenario that seems likely to prevent a US tour in 2023 would be if the band opts to focus solely on new music and their Vegas residency dates. But knowing U2’s love of live performance, it’s improbable they would skip the US entirely for long. Fans can hope the next U2 tour announcement comes sooner rather than later.
Conclusion
In summary, while U2 has not toured the United States since their Joshua Tree anniversary run in 2017, several factors point towards the strong possibility of US dates in 2023. Their extensive touring history shows North America has always been a key market for the band to reach their widest fanbase.
The band’s schedule also appears open enough to allow for a US trek around their rumored Vegas residency next spring. And given tours have traditionally coincided with new album releases, the long wait since their last record suggests fresh music and tour plans may arrive in 2023.
U2’s American fans should watch closely for an official tour announcement in the coming months. If and when a US tour is confirmed for 2023, expect high demand as fans clamor to see one of the greatest live acts in rock history. Until then, US fans must channel just a little more patience as we edge closer to what will hopefully be the band’s next Stateside run.